Letters to the editor: March 4

Two reactions to mold in public buildings

Congratulations to West Lafayette for addressing the mold problems at City Hall and getting employees out of that unhealthy environment.

We had to be exposed when the Bureau of Motor Vehicles was at the Ross Loeb building, while the local politicians and business owners called us names for complaining about our concerns. It is real and the effects of mold exposure is a lifetime problem.

How the Loeb situation was handled was a travesty. The then-mayor and downtown business owners were more concerned with loss of business if the BMV moved than our health. I hope the West Lafayette people got out in time. We did not.

Janet Oliver

Monticello

Thanks from a veteran to a respectful teenager

The other day at Family Video I came face-to-face in the doorway with a teenager whose eyes immediately went to my Vietnam veteran hat. He immediately took my hand and thanked me for my service.

I became choked with emotion as he and his mother walked away. Maybe there's hope for this country after all.

My stories and emotions have been in check these last 44 years. This teen's boldness and respect are far different than my homecoming in 1970. At the Los Angeles airport, I was confronted by a group of young ladies my own age who openly cursed me for my service and called me a baby killer.

I want to thank that young man at the video store for making my day and his parents for raising such a respectful teen.

Ron Ausbun

Lafayette

Judge Donat's harmless error

This letter is in response to Judge Greg Donat's misuse of the computer when sending out campaign-related email. First and foremost, I hope that the voters of Tippecanoe County don't forget the horrible situations and cases heard in former Judge Laura Zeman's court. One great phrase was "too little, too late," as she wheeled her strong-handed abuse against defendants, demanding outrageous and impossible sentences handed down as she sat on the bench.

Donat has untarnished years of hearing cases and the professional way he has conducted himself. It should also be noted that Donat always showed compassion for the defendants and their families. I know this because, yes, I was before both those judges for my mistakes, which cost me and some of my loved ones. Whoever chose to push this issue should have handled it differently.

It should also be noted that you, the voters, should not forget the way the prosecutor's office was run prior to the outstanding job that has taken place since Pat Harrington has been in control. There have been fewer cases overturned by the court of appeals and fewer frivolous cases prosecuted, wasting your money.

Kevin Boss

Tucson, Ariz.

He's not the best hope for change

No, columnist Kathleen Parker, President Barack Obama is not the best hope for change for inner-city youth. The best hope for change for the inner-city youth is education and jobs.

We don't need another government program that will do nothing for these youth. We need just to clear the way for charter schools in these areas to allow the parents to know that their children are receiving a good education with a greater possibility for higher education. And we need to stop the job-killing regulation that has been put in place over the last 20 years.

Basically what I am saying is the best thing the inner-city youth need right now is for the government to get out of the way.

Dale Zink

Clarks Hill

Fight dumb fires with these measures

There have been too many dumb structural fires in J&C land. Commercial-style sprinkler systems could stop them before fire services respond. Even mobile homes can be retrofitted. Add loud, impeller-driven outdoor bell alarms. In rentals, forbid smoking, candles, stoves left on and any open fires. New construction should feature wiring in conduits and no wooden framing.